Latest News
ExxonMobil starts commissioning Baytown’s new ethane cracker
Exxon Mobil Corp. (Irving, Tex.; www.exxonmobil.com) announced that a new 1.5 million ton-per-year ethane cracker at its Baytown, Texas complex is mechanically complete with commissioning progressing well. Project startup is expected during the second quarter of 2018. The new ethane…
Henkel begins construction of aerospace materials plant in Spain
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Düsseldorf, Germany; www.henkel.com) has started the construction of a new production facility for aerospace materials at its site in Montornès del Vallès, Spain. The facility will include new buildings and equipment for additional production and…
Clariant completes expansion of plastics plant in Maine
Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland; www.clariant.com) announced the startup of a high-throughput twin-screw compounding extruder at its facility in Lewiston, Maine, marking the end of this phase of a multimillion-dollar, multiyear expansion program. The facility, which was expanded by 40%, now accommodates…
Tuthill appoints new president
Andy Tuthill has been promoted to President of Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems (Burr Ridge, Ill.; www.tuthill.com) effective January 29, 2018. Andy relocated to Springfield in 2015 as Director of Manufacturing and was promoted to the position of Vice President…
Modernizing Petroleum Refineries
Modern materials of construction can greatly improve the performance of heat-recovery steam generators, making it well worthwhile to consider retrofits North American petroleum refiners are investing billions these days on modernization projects — typically, the upgrade of old crude-oil-processing…
Aquafil to acquire Invista’s Asia Pacific nylon 6 business
Aquafil S.p.A. (Arco, Italy; www.aquafil.com) has signed an agreement with Invista (Wichita, Kan.; www.invista.com) to acquire certain tangible and intangible assets related to Invista’s nylon 6 business activity in Asia Pacific. The assets to be acquired concern Invita’s business of…
LyondellBasell CEO named chairman of American Chemistry Council board
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington D.C.; www.americanchemicstry.com) announced that Bob V. Patel, Chief Executive Officer of LyondellBasell Industries became the Council’s Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2018. LyondellBasell is one of the largest plastics, chemicals, and refining…
Sandvik to build manufacturing plant for fine metal powders
Sandvik AB (Stockholm, Sweden; www.sandvik.com) will invest about 200 million SEK in a new plant for manufacturing of titanium and nickel fine metal powders within the business area Sandvik Materials Technology. The investment will complement the existing powder offering and…
Arkema to increase polyamide 12 production in China
Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) announced an investment plan to increase its production capacity of polyamide 12 polymers, commercialized under the trademark Rilsamid, by 25%. This new capacity will be added at Arkema’s Changshu platform in China and is expected to…
Aspen Technology acquires Apex Optimisation
Aspen Technology, Inc. (Bedford, Mass.; www.aspentech.com) has acquired Apex Optimisation, a European company specializing in Dynamic Optimization and Advanced Process Control. Apex’s GDOT software aligns Advanced Process Control (APC) with Planning & Scheduling, enabling unified production optimization for refineries and…